Bala press on in second as champs TNS too good for Canaries
PENYBONT’S push for European football next season took a serious dent when they were beaten 5-0 at home by Bala Town in the JD Cymru Premier.
If it was ample revenge for the Lakesiders for their penalty shootout exit in the semi-finals of the JD Welsh Cup, it was also a major blow to the home team’s chances of clinching the runners-up spot in the Championship Conference.
Bala scored three times in the opening half-an-hour to take a grip on proceedings.
Will Evans scored twice in three minutes before Chris Venables made it 3-0 to leave the home side reeling.
Evans completed his hat-trick with a 57th-minute penalty and Dean Ebbe added a fifth.
It puts the Lakesiders six points clear of Penybont in the race for second place, while Newtown’s 2-1 home win over Flint kept them in the running.
Aaron Williams gave Newtown a first-half lead and added a penalty on the stroke of halftime. Mark Cadwallader gave
Flint some hope with a goal six minutes into the second half.
The New Saints won 3-0 at Caernarfon Town. Louis Robles got TNS off to a flyer after 20 minutes. Ryan Astles got on the scoresheet before Robles netted again in the dying moments.
In the Play-off Conference, Cardiff Met moved back to the top thanks to their 3-2 home win over Haverfordwest County.
Harry Owen gave the students the lead in the first half, but Jack Williams levelled in the 71st minute. Eliot Evans edged the students back in front and Lewis Rees made it 3-1. The Bluebirds hit back again with an Alaric Jones goal.
Rhys Abbruzzese scored the goal that ended Barry Town United’s wait for a home win. He netted in the second half to give them a 1-0 win over Cefn Druids.
Connah’s Quay beat Aberystwyth Town 1-0 thanks to a Callum Morris penalty.
● In Cymru North action, Llangefni Town looked to have earned a rare and precious away win when Josh Stanley finished off a fine move to give them the lead at Guilsfield on 83 minutes, only for the hosts to equalise in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
● Holyhead Hotspur’s unbeaten league run stretching back to April 10 was ended with a disappointing 5-0 drubbing at Ruthin.
● It’s as you were in the race for the North Wales Coast West Premier, with chasers Bangor 1876 winning a tough encounter 1-0 at Llanberis thanks to Jamie Petrie’s quick-reacting finish on 77 minutes, but leaders Bodedern remain two points clear with a game in hand after dismissing fourth-placed Nefyn 5-0.